Sometimes, you just know you’ve found the right fit, even at an early age. That was the case for our Vice President of Development, Joan Russo, who knew she’d found what she was looking for in her twenties.
A sports-loving New Jersey native, Joan has been in the development field for 25 years, and is continuously inspired by the team at Family Reach. She was introduced to our team by a close friend, and fell in love with a mission that so closely aligned with a personal goal of her own.
I had the distinct privilege of getting to sit down with her and chat about her interests, career path, thoughts on Family Reach’s future, and even some advice for fellow nonprofit professionals.
I really like sports – and I’m actually a New York Giants season ticket holder, which is so sad right now because even if they have games, I’m not going to sit in a stadium with 80,000 people any time soon. I like reading, I like fantasy … and I’m trying to think of what else I do besides raise a seven-year-old … which is pretty much all-consuming!
Have other moms that you talk to when you’re frustrated or annoyed. It’s crucial to have other people to vent to, especially when you have something in common. I do a lot of Zoom drinks!
I think I have the personality for it. I love talking to people, I love working at nonprofits with meaningful missions, and I’m really competitive. I think that those things mix well. The feeling you get when you close a large gift is like no other feeling I’ve ever experienced at work.
What I really love is that it never feels like a sales job. It feels like talking to someone who really understands and values our mission wants to invest in our organization, and I’m helping them do that.
It’s like a giant puzzle – and it’s so much fun! It’s a conversation, not a question. You’re not asking them to throw you money. It should be a mutual agreement between the two parties.
I started out as an event planner, and grew into an executive director at JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Once I got to JDRF and raised money for medical research, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. First it was juvenile diabetes, then lymphoma, and then Avon (breast cancer).
After that, I committed to individual fundraising, and went to Rutgers to become the Director of Development at the Pharmacy School, where I raised money from alumni for student scholarships and a new building. Rutgers merged with the University of Medicine and Dentistry, and we acquired a cancer center, which they had me oversee. I raised money for cancer research and patient programs, but I didn’t love working in hospitals.
The goal was to eventually become the CEO of a nonprofit that would take the burden off of the elderly. It would help to manage their insurance and pay their bills for them so they didn’t have to deal with those stressors. I went to the Melanoma Research Alliance and shadowed the CEO … and I hated it. That’s when my friend introduced me to Carla.
I actually didn’t know it was the place for me at first. I knew that I really liked Carla, and we agreed that we would let the universe decide whether or not we should work together. She gave me the time and the space to explore it, and that allowed me to spend more time with my daughter last year. There were logistical things that really worked – I met the team, and it was a really good fit for my personality. I really enjoy building the roadmap here.
It’s really meaningful to me because it’s something that has been really apparent to me throughout my entire career, and even my entire life. I was 28 when my grandmother died, and 25 when I was helping her navigate her insurance. It was a real burden, and so being able to take away fears like losing their house away from families at a time when they need it most – I couldn’t imagine anything more meaningful.
One thing I really love is that Family Reach doesn’t just provide grants to families. Through our Financial Treatment Program, we give them solutions that last a lifetime. It’s not just about taking the crisis away, it’s about making sure families never experience it again.
Fundraising at Family Reach feels different because it’s a lot more urgent, a lot more pressing. Every dollar we raise can save a family, and keep a family together, so it feels different than my other roles. My husband said ‘In the time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you as happy at work as you are right now.’
Innovation is essential to the business here at Family Reach, and that’s really apparent through the crisis. What I like about Family Reach is that the families are always first. We talk to them, think about them, and provide them solutions. However we can help the families is always what we’ll do, while keeping in mind the lanes of the mission and long-term strategy.
I think it’ll change some nonprofits in lasting ways, and some will change superficially. The latter, they’ll be in the conversation, and then lose focus or interest. That’s a mistake because nonprofits should serve the people that they serve and sometimes they don’t do that. They do what they’re used to doing, and see change as a bad thing, but it shouldn’t be that way. Organizations thinking about how to change systemic racism will be the nonprofits that get invested in.
Lasting change will come through policy. I think there will be policy change both on COVID-19 side and racial inequity side. We’ll see who facilitates the change.
Oh that’s a good question … I leave that to our VP of Strategy and Alliances, Rosie [laughs]. No, just kidding. I think that it will evolve in the delivery of its solutions, and I think the solutions will evolve into more robust programs. The Financial Treatment Program is in its infancy, and that will evolve. We’ll figure out how to deliver that in a more efficient way to people who need it. I’m just here to get the money to do it.
As a Resource Navigator and Family Reach employee of over five years, Adam is passionate about helping families navigate the healthcare landscape. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, writing, and listening to way too much music.
Family Reach CEO Carla Tardif reflects on 2023 and calls for community support before the year ends.
Your holiday giving provides financial relief to families like these who are facing cancer this winter.
Curious what a donation to Family Reach does? Here’s a breakdown of how donations to Family Reach provide financial support to families facing cancer.
Applications will only be reviewed and processed for open funds.
Application must be submitted by a member of the healthcare team where the patient is receiving treatment
Applications will only be reviewed and processed for open funds.
Applications will only be reviewed and processed for open funds.
Applications will only be reviewed and processed for open funds.
Applications will only be reviewed and processed for open funds.
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